Grand Prix Day at the Spruce Meadows 'Pan American' CSI5*/2*, presented by Rolex

Grand Prix Day at the Spruce Meadows 'Pan American' CSI5*/2*, presented by Rolex

^{Giavanna Rinaldi (USA) & Cosmona
© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk}

Giavanna Rinaldi (USA) Wins the 'Pan American' Grand Prix, presented by Rolex

Spruce Meadows (July 3, 2022) - The 'Pan American' Grand Prix, presented by Rolex was the final competition to wrap up another week of show jumping at Spruce Meadows. Thirty competitors entered the competition and took on the 605M track set up FEI Course Designer Peter Grant (CAN). Riders had to clear 14 obstacles (17 jumping efforts) in under the 91s time allowed.

It was a demanding course at every turn but two clears would come forward for the jump off, Jose Antonio Chedraui (MEX) aboard Mighty Mouse and Giavanna Rinaldi (USA) aboard Cosmona. Chedraui put the pressure on by posting a clear round with a time of 51.13s. In her first 5* Grand Prix Rinaldi handled the pressure like a pro, putting her trust in Cosmona, the duo took a chance and galloped across the finish line clear in a faster time of 46.23s to take the win.

"I've always dreamt of coming to this show (Spruce Meadows) it's been a big dream of mine. I couldn't be prouder of my horse and the team behind us - it is a dream come true." - Giavanna Rinaldi (USA) on winning the 'Pan American' Grand Prix, presented by Rolex.

In addition to this being Rinaldi's inaugural trip to Spruce Meadows, it was also her first time competing in a 5* Grand Prix. She and Cosmona have been together since September 2021. 

^{Kent Farrington (USA) & Chato Lou
© Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley} 

Kent Farrington (USA) & Chato Lou Win the West Canadian CSI2* Grand Prix

Thirty-five horse/rider combinations for the West Canadian CSI2* Grand Prix for the final day of the Spruce Meadows 'Pan American', presented by Rolex. The two round competition required athletes to jump clear in the first round of competition in order to qualify for the jump off round against the clock.

There were 10 duos representing five countries who advanced to the jump off. Kent Farrington (USA) aboard a new stable addition, Chato Lou, was able to best them all putting in a clear ride with a time of 43.14s to win the West Canada CSI2* Grand Prix.

"He's obviously very fast. He's extremely careful. Those type of forces it's always hard to know how big they're going to jump in the end. But I think at whatever job he does in the international sport, whether it's for two star, three star, four star speed horse, he's going to win." - Kent Farrington (USA) on his newer stable addition Chato Lou. 

^{Juan Jose Zendejas in the Friends of the Meadows 1.30M
© Spruce Meadows Media/Jack Cusano} 

Juan Jose Zendejas (MEX) and Virginia Bonnie (USA) with Wins on Sunday of the 'Pan American', presented by Rolex

Two Friends of the Meadows 1.30M competitions occupied the All Canada Ring for the final day of the 'Pan American', presented by Rolex. Both competitions featured over 50 competitors tackling tracks built by FEI Course Designer Joey Rycroft (CAN).

The first Friends of the Meadows 1.30M competition had thirteen horse/rider combinations made it into the jump off but it was Juan Jose Zendejas (MEX) who prevailed with the fastest clear round in the jump off with a time of 41.39s.

The second Friends of the Meadows 1.30M competition also saw thirteen of duos make it to the jump off and Virginia Bonnie (USA) was the quickest clear round taking first place.

Images of the Day

^{Virginia Bonnie (USA) & Heldorado
© Spruce Meadows Media/Jack Cusano}

^{Robert Blanchette (IRL) came in second in the West Canadian CSI2* Grand Prix  just two 1/100 of a second short of first place
© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk}

^{Another win in the pocket
© Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley}

^{Extra large Sushi to go - Spruce Meadows Jump Crew removing pieces of the Sushi Jump from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic  now part of Spruce Meadows Championship Jump Collection.
© Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley}

^{Jose Antonio Chedraui (MEX) celebrates a clear round
© Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk}